States were ranked in each of the 12 categories above based on the number of times they were named as a "top-5" choice by the responding consultants. Next, a top-5 state's ranking in each of the 12 categories was assigned a weight in accordance with its position in these individual categories. Based on these total weighted scores, Texas is far and away the consultants' #1 choice for doing business, followed by Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina (with weighted scores only a point apart), and finally Indiana in the #5 spot. Taking the #6-#10 rankings based on weighted scores are Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, and - surprisingly - California, in that order.

The top-5 states based on weighted scores were each mentioned in at least 8 of 12 categories. Three other states - Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina - were mentioned among the top-5 states in 6 of 12 categories, and Tennessee was mentioned in 4 of 12. Several other states made the top-5 listings in the 12 individual categories (there were numerous ties), but were mentioned in fewer categories overall. Nonetheless, these states also are considered among 2011's top states for doing business according to the consultants responding to our survey.